While a few decades ago milkshakes and rootbeer floats were in their heyday, we tend to opt for healthier options today. And smoothies fill this role. They are usually filled with fruits and vegetables and vitamins and minerals that make you feel awesome, and they taste great too. Green smoothies pack an extra layer of nutrition from green veggies that really helps you start your day right, especially when substituting for the traditional, high-carb, fatty, sugary breakfast foods like cereal, pancakes, or bacon and eggs.
A green smoothie is typically made up of a variety of fruits and vegetables, and in most cases, consumed with relish! Plus, it has many potential health benefits that include:
Many of the benefits of a green smoothie, like those just mentioned, have to do with your body’s Bioenergetics Circuit. Bioenergetics refers to the flow of energy through your body which plays a role in every function and process your body performs. All this energy uses one of three bioenergetic processes:
The main organs of your body’s Bioenergetic Circuit are the thyroid, pancreas, and liver. Their health, together with the health of your adrenals, is important for the proper functioning of your body on many different levels. When something goes wrong with one organ of this circuit, it affects the health of the other components as well. It could also have a devastating impact on your adrenal health and contribute to the development of adrenal fatigue.
While addressing adrenal fatigue and the health of your Bioenergetics Circuit consists of a many-pronged approach, one of the key ingredients is diet. Many people with health issues eat a diet high in processed foods and sugar, which also often lacks fruits and vegetables.
A green smoothie can go far in helping to address this type of imbalance. A healthy green smoothie may not only supply your body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally but may help with weight loss as well.
You could just throw something green into a blender and add whatever you have at hand. But it might not be the tastiest or healthiest option. Here are our tips for making the best tasting - and best for your body - green smoothies.
When making a green smoothie for ultimate taste and health impact, the 60/40 formula works best. This means that 60% of your smoothie should consist of fruits, while the other 40% consists of leafy green vegetables. This just makes it taste better while adding a punch when it comes to nutrient consumption.
If you just throw everything into your blender at once, you may end up with pieces of leaf or fruit. The idea behind a smoothie is to drink it, not chew it! So, start with your leafy greens and liquid base of choice. Once that is all blended up, add your fruits and blend till nice and smooth.
Many of us like our smoothies cold, especially in summer. We thus tend to add ice to our mix. Consider adding some frozen fruit instead. Good examples are frozen berries, chopped-up bananas, or even pineapple. You can freeze these in freezer bags and just take them out of your icebox when needed.
To save yourself time, you can also make some smoothies in bulk for two days or so ahead. If you store your smoothie in an airtight container in a refrigerator, some types will hold up well for up to two days. That saves you some blender cleaning time. Just remember to give your smoothie a good shake before pouring because some of the heavier components will settle towards the bottom of the container.
If you have a sweet tooth, you might be tempted to add some sugar to your green smoothie, especially when the taste of uncooked green leafy vegetables is not to your liking. But you can overcome this by adding naturally sweet fruits instead. Good options include pitted dates, bananas, and pears. A dollop of honey is also a good option, but don't overdo it.
Now on to the fun part!
This recipe is packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. This recipe makes two glasses of green smoothie.
Method:
This is a great green smoothie if you like things a little creamier. The recipe makes three glasses of smoothie.
If desired, you can ditch the ice and substitute it with chopped frozen banana or chopped frozen pineapple.
While following a recipe is the easiest way to ensure you have a healthy, nutritious smoothie at hand, there are a lot of reasons to experiment with making your own recipes. You may sometimes have difficulty in finding all the ingredients, especially when they are out of season. Or you make want to add more protein, fat, or your favorite fruits and veggies. Fortunately, it's easy to design your own smoothies at home using what is at hand.
There are many different ways to get your hands on great smoothie ingredients.
When buying your fruits or vegetables, try to purchase organic because you can be certain they have not been sprayed with harmful chemicals.
Greens like spinach, kale, or chard are usually readily available. When purchasing them, make sure they are not wilted because it means they have fewer nutrients. If you cannot get hold of these greens, try substituting them with romaine lettuce or celery. You can also get them frozen.
When considering the liquid base for your smoothie, avoid fruit juices as they are often high in sugar. Instead, use water or plant-based milks like almond milk or coconut milk. Some plant-based milks often contain healthy fats that help with proper nutrient absorption.
When adding fruits, always remember the 60/40 ratio. Good fruit options for a green smoothie include berries, pineapples, mangos, apples, and bananas.
If you really want to up your smoothie, you can also add spices like cinnamon, nuts, and even bee pollen. A dollop of honey for added sweetness is also great due to its antibiotic properties.
The best way to protect your health is through your diet. Yet today’s fast-paced lifestyle, with its packaged foods and readily available takeout, often means the body does not get the nutrients it needs to function at its best. A green smoothie, however, is quick and easy to make, and highly nutritious as well. Furthermore, it can support your Bioenergetic Circuit and help in adrenal recovery.
If you would like to incorporate green smoothies into your diet, here are a few things you can do.
If you would like to know more about how to maintain a healthy diet, please give the team at Dr. Lam Coaching a call. Our number is 626-571-1234. Alternatively, you can also request a callback here.
A green smoothie does support adrenal health. This is because of the numerous vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in a smoothie as well as its antioxidant properties. It helps support your Bioenergetics Circuit, which gives a boost to your adrenal health as well.
